Geranium plant named &#39;Westray&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Geranium×cantabrigiense  plant named ‘Westray’ that is characterized by a dense habit, a profuse and early display of large flowers that may continue blooming sporadically until the end of summer, a flower color that is a stronger, clearer pink, foliage that turns color in fall, and ease of propagation. In combination these traits set ‘Westray’ apart from all other varieties of Geranium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofGeranium known botanically as Geranium×cantabrigiense and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Westray’. The new invention is ahybrid between the female parent Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Lohfelden’(unpatented) and the male parent Geranium dalmaticum (unpatented). In1993 the inventor induced hybridization of Geranium macrorrhizum‘Lohfelden’ (unpatented) and the species Geranium dalmaticum(unpatented). Seeds resulted from this cross, which were then sown in1994. The inventor selected ‘Westray’ from the resulting seedlings in1995 in Orkney, Scotland.

[0002] ‘Westray’ was bred from a breeding program which was establishedin 1985. The aim of this breeding program is to produce a range offlower colors of the hybrids between Geranium macrorrhizum and Geraniumdalmaticum, in combination with the dense habit, profuse flowering andgeneral performance exhibited by ‘Westray’ .

[0003] ‘Westray’ is assumed to be sterile and as with all crosses madebetween the parents, Geranium macrorrhizum and Geranium dalmaticum, itis female sterile and male sterile. What makes ‘Westray’ sterile is anincompatibility between its two parent species, which are close enoughto provide a first-generation cross but not close enough for that crossto be fertile. It does not produce seed, making it female sterile, andalthough it produces pollen, the pollen is non-viable, making it malesterile.

[0004] The new Geranium plant can be characterized by its dense habitand large, profuse flowers, with a strong, clear pink color, that bloomfrom March to late June and may continue blooming sporadically intoAugust. The closest comparison varieties are Geranium dalmaticum andGeranium cantabrigiense ‘Cambridge’ (unpatented). ‘Westray’ differs fromthese in its large flower with a strong, clear pink color and theability to propagate more readily. ‘Westray’ is shorter than ‘Cambridge’and taller than Geranium dalmaticum.

[0005] In 1997 the inventor conducted the first asexual propagation inOrkney, Scotland using the method of division. Since that timesubsequent asexual propagation has been conducted using vegetative rootcuttings, tip cuttings and stem cuttings. Under careful observationsuccessive generations have been determined stable and uniform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and representthe distinguishing characteristics of the new Geranium plant. Thesetraits in combination distinguish ‘Westray’ from all other varieties ofGeranium. The new invention has not been tested under all possibleconditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations inenvironmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without anyvariance in genotype.

[0007] 1. ‘Westray’ exhibits a dense habit.

[0008] 2. ‘Westray’ exhibits large flowers that are a unique strong,clear pink color.

[0009] 3. ‘Westray’ blooms profusely.

[0010] 4. ‘Westray’ blooms from March to late June and may continuesporadically into August.

[0011] 5. ‘Westray’ propagates easily by stem cuttings, root cuttings,tip cuttings and division.

[0012] 6. ‘Westray’ exhibits foliage that turns color in autumn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying color photographs illustrate the distinguishingcharacteristics of the new cultivar. Sheet 1 shows the plant from a sideperspective and illustrates the habit, foliage and profuse blooming of‘Westray’. Sheet 2 is a close-up of the flower, bud and leaf. Allphotographs are taken using conventional photographic techniques andalthough colors may appear different from actual colors due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

[0014] The following is a detailed description of the Geranium cultivarnamed ‘Westray’. Data was collected in Arroyo Grande Calif. from plantsgrown outdoors in one-gallon containers. Color determinations are inaccordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Color chart except wheregeneral color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Thegrowing requirements are similar to the species and no disease problemshave been observed.

[0015] Botanical classification: Geranium×cantabrigiense ‘Westray’.

[0016] Parentage: ‘Westray’ is an induced hybrid resulting from crossingthe following plants.

[0017]Female parent.—Geranium macrorrhizum ‘Lohfelden’ (unpatented).

[0018]Male parent.—Geranium dalmaticum (unpatented) Common names:Cranesbill and Geranium. Type: Semi-evergreen perennial. Use: Border,groundcover or container plant. Growth: Vigorous grower. Roots: Fibrousroots. Growth habit: Creeping, mounding and dense. Height: 20 cm. inheight. Width: 45 cm. in width. Branching habit: Basal branching.Flowering time: Diurnal. Flowering season: Flowers on the central coastof California in March through late June and may continue sporadicallyuntil August. In cooler more temperate regions it may begin bloominglater in the year. Hardiness: USDA Zone 5. Seasonal interest: A profusedisplay of large clear-pink flowers and foliage that turns orange-red toyellow-green in autumn. Propagation method: Propagated by root cuttings,tip cuttings, stem cuttings, and division. Special needs: Cut back afterflowering to induce fresh flush of foliage and flowers. Soil: Tolerantof a range of soil types, but generally needs moderately fertile,retentive soil. Light levels: Plant in full sun or part shade. Croptime: 6-9 months are required to achieve a finished one-galloncontainer, from a rooted cutting or division. Rooting time: 2-3 weeksare required for an initial cutting to produce roots.

[0019] Stem:

[0020]Stem shape.—Cylindrical.

[0021]Stem surface.—Scurfy toward the base and glabrous toward the end.

[0022]Stem color.—Overall color is a combination of 187A overlaid with144D, and scurfy areas that are 166B.

[0023]Stem dimensions.—13 cm. in length by 1 cm. in diameter.

[0024]Secondary stem attachment.—Sheathing.

[0025]Secondary stem dimensions.—5 cm. in length by 0.50 cm in width.

[0026]Internode length.—0.50 cm. to 1 cm. between nodes.

[0027]Color of stipules.—144D.

[0028]Surface of stipules.—Glabrous.

[0029]Dimensions of stipules.—5-6 mm. in length by 2 mm. in width.

[0030]Fragrance.—Spicily aromatic stems.

[0031] Foliage:

[0032]Leaf arrangement.—Alternate at base, but spirally arranged onremainder of stem.

[0033]Leaf division.—Palmately divided.

[0034]Leaf shape.—Compound palmate.

[0035]Leaf base.—Auriculate.

[0036]Leaf margins.—Lobed and dentate.

[0037]Leaf Apex.—Mucronulate on each lobe.

[0038]Leaf venation.—Pinnipalmate.

[0039]Vein color (adaxial surface).—138C.

[0040]Vein color (abaxial surface).—138A.

[0041]Leaf surface (adaxial).—Pubescent.

[0042]Leaf surface (abaxial).—Glabrous.

[0043]Leaf dimensions.—4-5 cm. in length by 5-7 cm. in width.

[0044]Quantity of leaves.—Twenty-five or more per stem.

[0045]Young leaf color (adaxial surface).—137A.

[0046]Young leaf color (abaxial surface).—138B.

[0047]Mature leaf color (adaxial surface).—138A.

[0048]Mature leaf color (abaxial surface).—138B.

[0049]Seasonal color changes in leaves.—Edges turn 183A in autumn.Leaves turn the following colors 19A, 33A and 145A..

[0050]Petiole surface.—Short, fine hairs toward end nearing leaf andglabrate midway to base.

[0051]Dimensions of petiole.—2-10 cm. in length and 2 mm. in width.

[0052]Color of petiole.—Predominant color is 144A with changes in autumnto colors 151A and 183A.

[0053]Foliar fragrance.—Spicily aromatic leaves.

[0054] Flower:

[0055]Shape.—Rotate.

[0056]Habit.—Diffuse.

[0057]Form.—Umbel.

[0058]Quantity.—Floriferous,producing approximately 6-12 flowers perstem.

[0059]Fragrance.—None observed.

[0060]Sexuality.—Sterile.

[0061]Aspect.—Facing outward and horizontally.

[0062]Flower dimensions.—2.9 cm in diameter.

[0063]Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.

[0064]Dimensions of peduncle.—10-20 cm. in length and 2 mm. in width.

[0065]Peduncle color.—174A.

[0066]Calyx form.—inflated.

[0067]Calyx color.—147C with streaks of 155A.

[0068]Calyx dimensions.—Approximately 3-4 mm. in width and 34 mm. inlength.

[0069]Number of sepals.—Five in number.

[0070]Petals.—Five in number.

[0071]Dimensions of petal.—Approximately 1.5 cm. in length and 1 cm. inwidth.

[0072]Fused or unfused.—Petals are unfused.

[0073]Petal color (newly opened).—74B, C.

[0074]Petal color (mature).—66C.

[0075]Petal surface.—Smooth.

[0076]Bud color.—67B.

[0077]Bud dimensions.—5-6 mm. in length and 5-6 mm. in width.

[0078]Bud shape.—Globose.

[0079] Reproductive organs:

[0080]Stamens.—Ten stamens of equal length in 2 whorls.

[0081]Stamen color.—74A.

[0082]Stamen dimensions.—12 mm. in length and 0.50 mm. in width.

[0083]Anther.—Versatile with two rows.

[0084]Anther dimensions.—mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0085]Shape of anther.—Oblong in shape.

[0086]Color of anther.—61A.

[0087]Pollen color.—13 C.

[0088]Quantity of pollen.—Low and non-viable.

[0089]Pistil dimensions.—18 mm. in length and 0.50 mm. in width.

[0090]Pistil color.—74 C.

[0091]Pistil shape.—Slender like a filament.

[0092]Stigma dimensions.—1 mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.

[0093]Stigma shape.—Diverges into four sections at apex.

[0094]Stigma color.—74A.

[0095]Style dimensions.—1.5 cm. in length and 0.50 mm. in width.

[0096]Style color.—74C.

[0097]Style shape.—Slender like a filament.

[0098]Ovary position.—Superior.

[0099]Ovary color.—157D.

[0100]Ovary dimensions.—2.5 mm. in width and 3 mm. in height.

[0101] Seed: Assumed to be sterile. No seed has been observed by theinventor.

1. A new and distinct variety of geranium plant named ‘westray’ asdescribed and illustrated herein.